Water Rates Effective July 1, 2017

Each year, the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) updates their rates for the 125 communities that use their water and sewer service including Farmington Hills.

Residents are billed four times each year for the actual amount of water used, which is measured in units of 1,000 cubic feet (mcf) of water. A quarterly charge for water service will be made to each premise connected to the system in the amount of $38.55 per mcf of metered water with a minimum quarterly charge of $61.68 plus meter service charge. Customer quarterly bills for the July, August and September 2017 billing cycles will be prorated with use prior to July 1, 2017, billed at the 2016/2017 water rate and use after July 1, 2017 billed at the 2017/2018 water rate.

Similar to last year, this year’s rate change will help fund major improvements in GLWA's century old water system, which is one of the largest in the world. The improvements are designed to provide residents with safer drinking water and cleaner rivers.

Questions regarding water and sewer issues can be directed to the Operation & Maintenance Division of the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office at (248) 858-1110 or the City’s Department of Public Services at (248) 871-2530.

Conserve Water to Help Control Rates

Conserving water means smaller water bills if you live in an area serviced by a municipal water system. If your home is connected to a septic system, water conservation also can help prevent water pollution. Overloading a septic system may cause nutrient and bacterial contamination of the nearby lakes and streams. A faucet dripping at the rate of one drop per second will waste approximately 2,700 gallons ($13.92) per year, which adds to the cost of water and sewer bills, or puts a strain on your septic system.

A large percentage of water use is in the bathroom. To help conserve water, install water-saving devices on faucets and shower heads. Place plastic jugs filled with sand or stones in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush. (Avoid using bricks, which can flake and disrupt the operation of your toilet.) Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your hands and face. Take shorter showers. When filling the tub, don’t let the water run down the drain while waiting for it to get hot. Fix dripping taps and leaking toilets.

To conserve water in the kitchen, don’t let water run for washing or rinsing hands, dishes or food. Wash only full loads of dishes in your dishwasher using biodegradable (phosphate-free) detergents and soaps. Don’t let the water run to get a cold drink. Instead, keep a bottle or pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Use your garbage disposal at the end of cooking or cleanup or when it is full. Wash only full loads of laundry.

Outside water conservation is easy. Don’t over water your lawn. Ensure that your sprinklers are not watering sidewalks, driveways or streets. Water your lawn between the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM when temperature and wind speed are the lowest to avoid evaporation losses. Check your sprinklers, hoses and spigots for leaks. Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk, use a broom instead. Do not leave running hoses unattended. Collect water from the roof gutters or have a rain barrel for lawn and plant watering. Native and/or drought-tolerant grasses, ground covers, shrubs and trees typically require less water. Avoid over fertilizing your lawn and keep your lawn three inches or higher.